I like fresh sandwiches, but I don't like the idea of throwing away one-use cling wrap every day or having to take containers along. These sandwich wraps work really well and I have a commercially made one, but I cannot always get them when I want them and worked out how to DIM (Do It Myself).

This project is pretty easy and only needs very basic sewing machine skills.

Step 1: You Will Need...

A 28 to 30cm square of pure cotton fabric. The type sold for patchwork works well)

Enough cling-wrap to cover the fabric 3 times.

Enough baking parchment paper to cover the fabric and leave about 4cm overhanging each edge.

Hook and loop (velcro) fastener. An 8cm piece of each side.

Thread to blend with your fabric.

A sewing machine that will do both zig-zag and straight stitches.

Scissors, tape measure, sticky or masking tape.

Iron and ironing board.

Optional: Rotary cutter, ruler and cutting mat. You can do this easily with scissors, I just happen to have these things handy.

Step 2: Assemble the Layers...

Place some non-stick baking parchment on your ironing surface. Make sure it is bigger all round than your fabric. You do NOT want melted cling-wrap on your ironing board or iron.

Place the fabric on the baking parchment with the wrong side up.

Lay one thickness of cling wrap on top and smooth out as many wrinkles as you can.

Cover the cling-wrap with more baking parchment. (Again, don't be stingy. make sure your iron cannot come into direct contact with the cling-wrap.)

With your iron on the 'cotton' setting and steam turned off, slowly work the iron over the entire fabric area, making sure that all the edges are well stuck down.

Wait for everything to cool down a bit before you peel the baking parchment off the fabric.

Step 3: Building Up the Layers...

When you peel the baking parchment off, make sure you do not lift it straight up. The plastic layer is very fine at this point, so pull the paper back flat on itself as you see in the photo.

It is likely that not all of the fabric is perfectly covered with cling-film. That is fine, the next layer or two should cover any gaps.

Lay another sheet of cling-film on the fabric. Cover carefully with the baking parchment you just peeled off (keeping the side that was in contact with the plastic down so your iron stays clean), and iron again just as you did the first time. Slow is good.

Once everything has cooled down, peel the paper off add another layer of cling-film, replace the baking parchment and repeat the ironing step to make the third layer. Use some pressure here to make sure all the layers are well and truly melted into the fabric.

Troubleshooting

Wrinkles: cover with the baking parchment and iron the wrinkled section flat.

Missed or lifted spots: cover with 2 or 3 layers of cling-film cut a tiny bit larger than the gap. Cover with the baking parchment piece you have been using and iron until the wrap has melted right into the fabric.

Rough patches or ridges: Cover with the baking parchment and iron flat.

Step 4: Finishing the Edges...

Trim off any excess cling-film.

Try out a zig-zag stitch (or other edge stitch) on a scrap piece of fabric. Try for a narrow stitch that is quite close together. It will make a nice little ridge to edge the wrap.

When you are happy with the width and length of the stitch, stitch all around the edge of the wrap.

Step 5: Adding the Fastening...

Fold the wrap into a triangle to make a diagonal crease from one
corner to another. This is your placement line for the hook and loop fastener strip. Place the hook side (rough side) up on the inside of the wrap, centered along the fold line as shown in the picture. I find that it is difficult to get pins through the layers, so I use tape to hold it in place until I have stitched the first few centimetres.

Sew around the edge of the fastener strip, (removing the tape before you get to it) and then sew another line closer to the centre (You can see this better in the next photo).

Note:
If you find that the tape takes a layer of plastic off when you remove it, (like mine did, as you can see) just put some more cling-film over the spot, put your parchment sheet on top and (avoiding the fastening strips) iron the spot away.

Take the loop side (soft, fluffy side) of the fastener strip and centre it along the fold line on the opposite corner to the last strip. This time, it goes on the right side of the fabric. You can see the stitching lines showing how it is placed in the corner.

Step 6: Finally...

Fold the corners in to make a square about 15cm across. Press the crease in using your fingers.

Washing and care: Gently hand wash with a mild detergent. This is not water proof, just moisture resistant. It will need to dry out, especially along the stitching lines.

If you do find any bits of cling film wearing or peeling off, just add more cling film, cover with the parchment and iron the spot well.

Enjoy your non-disposable sandwich wrap.